* [[Libraries Using IM Reference]] - organized geographically - please add your library to this list first if you're offering IM reference as it is the definitive list.

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** [[Libraries Using Specific Types of Software for Embedded Chat]]

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* [[Libraries Offering SMS Reference Services]]

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* [[Libraries Offering VoIP or Video Reference]]

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You can also check out the LISWiki's [http://liswiki.com/wiki/List_of_libraries_providing_virtual_reference_services List of libraries providing virtual reference services] for a list of libraries providing Virtual Reference services of all kinds.

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== Software We Like for IM Reference ==

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''If you would like to recommend software, please sign your name to the recommendation so that we know it's not from a vendor. An explanation of why you like this software would be great too!''

*[http://www.miranda-im.org/ Miranda] - Multiple networks, thin client, great plugins for scripts using spell checker, works well under low bandwidth, Open Source (''Recommended by [[User:StevenS|Steven]]'')

**From that point on, send and receive messages as you normally would. (Your patron doesn't need to use the account prefix, etc. for each message during the session)

**From that point on, send and receive messages as you normally would. (Your patron doesn't need to use the account prefix, etc. for each message during the session)

**Standard messaging rates will apply

**Standard messaging rates will apply

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*[http://www.textalibrarian.com Text a Librarian, Powered by Mosio] - Text Message (SMS) Reference Services. Accessible on over 260 million US mobile phones using a mobile, cell phone carrier approved technologies. Used by single branch libraries or multi-library cooperatives.

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*[http://www.textalibrarian.com Text a Librarian, Powered by Mosio for Libraries] - Text Message (SMS) Reference Services. Available in 16 countries and now combined with Mosio for Libraries full patron support software suite - all channels (Text Messaging, Web Chat and Email).

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*[http://libraryh3lp.blogspot.com/2009/03/sms-gateway-released.html LibraryH3lp Android SMS Gateway] - Library provides the Google Android phone and creates a gateway using LibraryH3lp. Patrons text a phone number, not a short code. Text messages can be flexibly routed and transferred among librarians.

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*[http://libraryh3lp.blogspot.com/2010/06/super-cool-new-sms-gateway-twilio.html LibraryH3lp Twilio SMS Gateway] - Patrons text a phone number, not a short code/keyword combination. US phone numbers only; international texts can be received and sent. Text messages can be flexibly routed and transferred among librarians.

*[http://www.upsidewireless.com/ Upside Wireless] is an SMS gateway company used by UCLA Libraries

*[http://www.upsidewireless.com/ Upside Wireless] is an SMS gateway company used by UCLA Libraries

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*[https://www.omnireference.com/ OmniReference] is a Multi-Channel Virtual Reference tool. Allows you to select a local number. Patrons can initial a chat through text or the widget on your library's website.

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*[http://www.twilio.com/ Twilio] Provides US phone numbers and APIs for developers to use in creating their own applications. Libraries with programming resources available could roll their own SMS service.

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= Software We Like for IM Reference =

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== Software We Like for Online VoIP, Video or Co-Browsing Reference ==

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''If you would like to recommend software, please sign your name to the recommendation so that we know it's not from a vendor. An explanation of why you like this software would be great too!''

** Also: [http://www.meebome.com Meebo me!] is a widget that lets people chat at you directly through your web site.

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*[http://www.miranda-im.org/ Miranda] - Multiple networks, thin client, great plugins for scripts using spell checker, works well under low bandwidth, Open Source (''Recommended by [[User:StevenS|Steven]]'')

For a working definition see [http://liswiki.org/wiki/Virtual_reference LIS Wiki Virtual Reference]

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Check out the LISWiki's [http://liswiki.com/wiki/List_of_libraries_providing_virtual_reference_services List of libraries providing virtual reference services] for a list of libraries providing Virtual Reference services of all kinds.

*[http://library.uncg.edu/depts/ref/askalib/skype.asp University of North Carolina-Greensboro Library (NC)]

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*[http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/asklib/index.html University of Waterloo Library (ON)]

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== Libraries Using IM Reference ==

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Jing, a Techsmith product, allows you to make quick videos on the fly. It is easy to initiate and produce a recording to be uploaded on a Screecast.com account. Although Jing doesn't offer much in the way of editing capabilities, it works really well for e-mail reference and reference via chat. Instead of typing instructions out, show them with a quick screencast. Also, you can easily import the file into Camtasia (also a Techsmith product) and do some editing from there. For more information, visit http://www.techsmith.com/jing/.

**[http://sites.google.com/?hl=en&tab=w3 Google sites] If your institution doesn't have an intranet readily available, Google sites is a easy way to create a private site for sharing between colleages. News, policies, login details for technology can be centralized using a very easy interface that those without any technical affinity can use.

*[http://edificeref.info/?p=71 Trillian training materials] - by Beatrice Pulliam, a great training for using Trillian in providing virtual reference services.

*[http://edificeref.info/?p=71 Trillian training materials] - by Beatrice Pulliam, a great training for using Trillian in providing virtual reference services.

*[http://www.american.edu/tesol/Baron-SeeYouOnlineCorrected64.pdf See You Online: Gender Issues in College Student Use of Instant Messaging] by Naomi S. Baron, Department of Language and Foreign Studies, American University. In addition to interesting findings, this paper includes useful terminology for discussing IM.

*[http://www.american.edu/tesol/Baron-SeeYouOnlineCorrected64.pdf See You Online: Gender Issues in College Student Use of Instant Messaging] by Naomi S. Baron, Department of Language and Foreign Studies, American University. In addition to interesting findings, this paper includes useful terminology for discussing IM.

*[http://bearspace.baylor.edu/Ellen_M_Hampton/www/IMtraining/index.htm Learning How to Use Instant Messaging Software]- developed in the fall of 2007 to train reference staff unfamiliar with the basics of IM, licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA License.

*[http://bearspace.baylor.edu/Ellen_M_Hampton/www/IMtraining/index.htm Learning How to Use Instant Messaging Software]- developed in the fall of 2007 to train reference staff unfamiliar with the basics of IM, licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA License.

From that point on, send and receive messages as you normally would. (Your patron doesn't need to use the account prefix, etc. for each message during the session)

Standard messaging rates will apply

Text a Librarian, Powered by Mosio for Libraries - Text Message (SMS) Reference Services. Available in 16 countries and now combined with Mosio for Libraries full patron support software suite - all channels (Text Messaging, Web Chat and Email).

LibraryH3lp Twilio SMS Gateway - Patrons text a phone number, not a short code/keyword combination. US phone numbers only; international texts can be received and sent. Text messages can be flexibly routed and transferred among librarians.

LibraryH3lp Android SMS Gateway - Library provides the Google Android phone and creates a gateway using LibraryH3lp. Patrons text a phone number, not a short code/keyword combination. Text messages can be flexibly routed and transferred among librarians.

Online Reference Providers (Software and Outsourcing)

Easy Screen-Capture Technology

Jing

Jing, a Techsmith product, allows you to make quick videos on the fly. It is easy to initiate and produce a recording to be uploaded on a Screecast.com account. Although Jing doesn't offer much in the way of editing capabilities, it works really well for e-mail reference and reference via chat. Instead of typing instructions out, show them with a quick screencast. Also, you can easily import the file into Camtasia (also a Techsmith product) and do some editing from there. For more information, visit http://www.techsmith.com/jing/.

Google sites If your institution doesn't have an intranet readily available, Google sites is a easy way to create a private site for sharing between colleages. News, policies, login details for technology can be centralized using a very easy interface that those without any technical affinity can use.